Research Associate II Synthetic Morphogenesis

Research Associate II Synthetic Morphogenesis

The mission of the Allen Institute is to understand the principles that govern life and to advance health. Our creative and multi-dimensional teams focus on answering some of the biggest questions in bioscience. We accelerate foundational research, catalyze bold ideas, develop tools and models, and openly share our science to make a broad, transformational impact on the world.

The mission of the Allen Institute for Cell Science is to develop a comprehensive and holistic approach to measure, describe, manipulate and model cell states and their dynamic changes over time. Our ultimate goal is to uncover the fundamental principles of multiscale, multicellular morphogenesis, including how groups of cells organize and achieve collective behaviors essential for life. Our approach encompasses multi-modal data collection including live 3D timelapse imaging, data analysis, theory, and predictions to understand cell states and cell state transitions in human induced pluripotent stem cell models.

As a division within the Allen Institute, the Allen Institute for Cell Science uses a team-oriented approach, focusing on accelerating foundational research, developing standards and models, and cultivating new ideas to make a transformational impact on science.

We seek a motivated and versatile Research Associate II with excellent cell culture and genome engineering skills for an interdisciplinary role at the forefront of synthetic biology. This scientist will contribute to a new effort to program these state changes with synthetic biological circuits conferring morphogenetic cell behaviors in human iPS cells. The project will involve designing synthetic biological modules that control the fate specification, dynamics, and spatial patterning of cellular states and enable multicellular morphogenesis to understand and control behaviors associated with cellular morphogenesis in 3D multicellular stem cell cultures.

These modules may include combinations of synthetic multistability circuits including Multi Fate and related systems, signaling and adhesion systems such as Syn Notch and SynCAMs, and various effectors of cellular mechanics. The successful candidate will collaborate within the team to perform experiments and analyses. This position will require creativity with relating these experimental approaches to multicellular systems.

At the Allen Institute, we believe that science is for everyone and should be open to everyone. We are dedicated to combating biases and reducing barriers to STEM careers more broadly.

We also believe that science is better when it includes different perspectives and voices. We strive to make the Allen Institute a place where everyone feels like they belong and are empowered to do their best work in a supportive environment.

We are an equal-opportunity employer and strongly encourage people from all backgrounds to apply for our open positions.

A cover letter detailing your interest in this opportunity is required to be considered.

Essential Functions

* Collaborate to implement designed biological circuits that provide new developmental and morphogenetic functions.

* Contribute to manuscript preparation efforts as a supplemental author

* Prioritize and perform molecular engineering, cell line engineering as needed for project development

* Assist in generating, maintaining and quality-control testing engineered hiPS lines for Synthetic Morphogenesis programs

* Assist cross-functional research activities involving various experimental and computational teams

* Adhere to SOPs and workflows with meticulous documentation

* Summarize and present data internally and externally as needed, via oral and written reports

* Work closely with an interdisciplinary team and within a program/project management infrastructure to achieve project goals

* Properly handle hazardous chemicals

Note:

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. This description reflects managements assignment of essential functions; it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.

Required

Education and Experience

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